華嚴一乘法界圖 1.36

1.36

Question: For manifesting what meaning are the six characteristics [taught]? Answer: To manifest the principle of non-conceptual dependent origination. Because of the meaning of these six characteristics, it should be known that although an entire sūtra consists of seven locations, eight assemblies, and various different chapters, it solely resides in the chapter on the stages. Why is this? Because it is the root that completely embraces all dharmas. Within the chapter on the stages, although the ten stages are distinct, it solely resides in the first stage. Why is this? Because without leaving one stage, it universally embraces the merits of all stages. Within a single stage, although there are many distinct portions, it solely resides in a single thought-moment. Why is this? Because the three periods of time and the nine periods of time are themselves a single thought-moment, and the all is itself the one. Just as with a single thought-moment, so too with many thought-moments. The one is the all, a single thought-moment is many thought-moments, and so on; the reverse of the preceding is also true. By this principle, in the Dharma of dhāraṇī, primary and attendant mutually complete one another; whichever single dharma is raised, it completely gathers all. If explained in terms of assemblies, within each assembly all are completely gathered. If explained in terms of chapters, within each chapter all are completely gathered. Even down to explaining in terms of texts, each text and each sentence completely gathers all. Why is this? Because without this, that would not be established. The Dharma of dhāraṇī is inherently like this, as will be explained below.